Four men arrested for assault at Applebee’s in Green Acres Mall

Four men were arrested for getting into a brawl at the Applebee’s at the Green Acres Mall on March 16 at 11:54 p.m.

According to Nassau County police, Daryl Russell, 28, of Freeport; and Hugh Stewart, 27, of Laurelton, Queens; became involved in a verbal dispute with two other patrons, Jonathan Garcia, 24, of Brooklyn; and Jesse Bulla, 24, of Ozone Park, Queens. Shortly thereafter, police said, Russell went into the bathroom and was followed by Garcia and Bulla, who punched him several times before they left the bathroom. Russell and Stewart later tried to leave the restaurant, when another fight broke out between all four defendants, and Garcia was stabbed.

Fifth Precinct police responded to the scene and placed all four defendants under arrest. Russell, who suffered from a mouth injury, and Garcia, who had a punctured lung, were also transported to local hospitals for treatment. Police also recovered two knives from the scene, and an investigation revealed that Russell had a white powdery substance that is believed to be cocaine.

Russell is charged with second-degree assault, second-degree menacing, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Stewart is charged with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Garcia is charged with third-degree assault and Bulla is charged with third-degree assault. All defendants will be arraigned on Monday, March 18 at the First District Court in Hempstead.